Photographic work table and print washer for bathrooms



H. W. VENDIG Dec. 12, 1967 PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE AND PRINT WASHER FOR BATHROOMS Filed May 5, 1965 l N VEN TOR.

l0 HERBERT W. VENDIG BY 6 H ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,357,336 PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE AND PRINT WASHER FOR BATHROOMS Herbert W. Vendig, 3329 Chamhlee Tucker Road, Chamblee, Ga. 30905 Filed May 3, 1965, Ser. No. 452,660 8 Claims. (Cl. 95-89) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A photographic work table for use in bathrooms, ineluding a hollow table top member having suction cup means for its support at a level position above the floor, including openings in the upper surface of the table top member for the reception therein of photographic developing trays, the table top member having mutually relative upper and lower openings to receive hoses in communication therewith for circulating tap water through the table top member chamber for temperature control of developing trays placed in said recesses.

This invention relates to amateur photography and is directed particularly to a photographers work table for use in ordinary bathrooms for converting them into tempor-ary darkrooms for photographic processing.

Bathrooms, because they usually have small windows, if any at all, which can readily be covered to exclude light, and because they have readily available fresh water and waste disposal means, are commonly used as a darkroom by amateur photographers. It is the principal object of this invention to greatly facilitate the use of bathrooms by amateur photographers by the provision of a compact photographic processing work table that can readily be set up in an ordinary bathroom with the maximum use of space and facilities therein.

A more particular object is to provide an elongated, rectangular photographic work table of the character described that is supported at one end in spaced relation above and by the top of the water tank of a water closet, and at the other end by an ordinary adjustable photographic tripod.

Still another object is to provide a photographic work table of the above nature that can be compactly folded for carrying as one would a briefcase, or for storage.

Another object is to provide a photographic work table of the above nature having developing tray receiving recesses in its upper surface and an interior water chamber into which the undersides of the trays project, and including means for circulating tap water through the chamber for maintaining the tray developing fluids at substantially constant, cool temperatures, and for washing prints received in a basket removably positioned in the water chamber through a slot in the top of the work table.

Still another object is to provide a photographic work table of the above nature which includes simple brace mechanism for increasing its lateral stability at the tripod support end, and which includes suction cups for attachment at the other end to the top of the water closet tank, thereby providing firm support for the work table, as required particularly in the use of an enlarger supported thereon.

Another object is to provide a photographic work table of the character described which can be simply and inexpensively made for the most part of molded synthetic plastic materials, which will be simple to set up and take down, and which will be easy to clean, durable, attractive in appearance, and well suited to its use and purposes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In

ice

the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a photographic work table embodying the invention, shown set up for use in a bathroom;

FIG. 2 is a top View of the photographic work table illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the work table of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in folded condition for compact storage or carrying;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the folded work table illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows and illustrating details of the brace mechanism at the tripod end of the work table;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of a modified form of the photographic work table embodying the invention including water cooling means for the developing trays;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the modified form of the work table illustrated in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof,

taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 designates one form of photographic work table embodying the invention, the same being shown set up for use between walls W, W of an ordinary bathroom, said walls usually being about five feet apart to accommodate a standard bath tub indicated at T. Accordingly the work table is somewhat less than five feet in length, say four feet nine inches, to make full use of the least available space in bathrooms having a standard size tub. The work table 10 is preferably molded or otherwise formed of a synthetic plastic material, which may be reinforced with glass fibers or the like for increased strength, and is of such width, say two and one-half feet, to accommodate in its upper surface at one and spaced, rectangular recesses 11, 12 and 13 for receiving standard 11 x 14 inch developing trays (not illustrated). The close spacing of the tray recesses 11, 12 and 13 at one end of the work table (the left end as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) leaves suificient table space at the other end to support a photographic enlarger represented by E in FIG. 1.

Means is provided for supporting one end of the work table 10 above and with respect to the water closet tank cover C. To this end, the underside of the work table is provided, near one end, with laterally-spaced, cylindrical openings 14, 15 within which are removably fitted the upper ends of posts 16, 17 carrying at their lower ends rubber or the like suction cups 18, 19, respectively, for suction grip attachment to the upper surface of the water closet tank cover C, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The upper ends of the post 16, 17 preferably are of such diameter as to fit snugly in the table openings 14, to be firmly retained therein by frictional contact. Alternatively, however, the posts 16, 17 could be screw-fitted in threaded openings in the table 10.

Means is provided for supporting the other end of the work table 10 with the aid of a photographic tripod of the type commonly owned by amateur photographers. To this end, the work table It has centrally aflixed in its underside near the other end, a female screw thread fitting 20 adapted to receive the usual screw stud at the upper end or head of an ordinary photographic tripod, indicated generally at 21 in FIG. 1. To improve lateral support of the work table 10 at the tripod supported end,

a brace 22 is provided, said brace preferably being formed table as by hinge straps 24 and having opposed, converging equi-lateral arm portions 25, 26 hooked in openings in a bracket 27 integrally formed with a C-clamp member 28 operative to fit around the vertical post or neck 29 sl he tripod in adjusted position therealong and be secured thereto .as by a thumb-screwfifl. As illustrated in 1 and 2 the base portion '23 of the brace 22 is a propriately spaced along the length .of .the aworktable 1-0 with respect to the fitting 20 to permit its reasyattachment to the tripod as described above, .and at :the same time afford substantial lateral stability to the table .by virtue of its positional arrangement with respect to the tripod.

For storage and caruyiug purposes, the .work table #10 is laterally divided into a short central portion 3:1 and comparatively long .end portions .32 and 33, equal in 'length. The abutting ends of the central and end portions 31, .32 and 33 are hingedtogether at the underside .of the table 10 by laterally-extending piano hinges .34, 35, the thickness and composition of the table being such that when it is set up as illustrated, the abutting end wall surfaces of said table portions provide the requisite rigidity. The ends ,of :the table 10 have secured, centrally disposed tberealong, hinged hand grip handles 36 which, when the work table is folded together as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, serve as carrying handles. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the table ends .are also provided, at each .side of the handles .36, with swingable hook Jinks 3.7 in one table end portion engageable with posts 38 or the like in the other ttable end portion ior :releasably latching the table in folded or compacted condition.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modification ,of the invention diiiering from that .of'FIGS. l through described above ,in that it is not foldable and in that means is provided in the table for water-cooling the developing .trays to be used in photographic processing. To this end, the work ztable a, under the area of the tray openings 11a, 12a and 13a, is hollow to provide a chamber .39 through which water may circulate in contact with the lower surface of trays placed within .said =tray openings. .Upper .and lower openings 40, 41 are provided in the side of the table 10a and .in communication with the water .chamber .39, to which inlet and outlet flexible hoses 42, .43, respectively (partially illustrated), can be :connected in any convenient fashion, such as by the use of plug-in nipples. Water from a bathroom tap can thus conveniently be supplied to {the \water chamber 39 through the inlet .hose .42, while overflow water passes .out through the -.outlet hose s3 leading to the water closet bowl or tub drain, for example. In addition, a slot 44 is provided .in table 10a between tray (opening 11a .and @the adjacent end thereof through which a shallow perforated pr-int was-h basket 45, such as of stainless steel wire mesh, may .be inserted to hold prints for washing in the circulating water. A hook 46 is preferably provided at one endof .the wash basket 45 to secure it in place with respect .to the ,tray end of the work .table.

While I have illustrated and described herein only two forms in which .my intention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that these for-ms are given .by way of example only, and not in a limiting sense. My invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within .tbe scope and spirit of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A photographic work table comprising, in combination, an elongated table top member, suction cup means for supporting oneend of said table top member in spaced relation above a horizontal surface, means for supporting the other end .of said table top member at a position level with respect .to said one end of said tabletop member, said table top member being formed with an interior chamber, a plurality of rectangular recesses in the :top .of said table top member for receiving seated therein .a like plurality of photographic developing trays, said recesses constituting table top wall openings communicating with said chamber, and means for circulating tap water through said chamber and in heat transfer relation with trays seated in said recesses.

2. A photographic work table as defined in claim 1, wherein said tap water circulating means comprises upper and lower .wall openings in said .table top member and communicating with said chamber, and flexible-inlet and outlet conduits connectable to said lower and upper wall openings, respectively.

3. A photographic work :table comprising, in combination, an elongated table top member, suction cup means for supporting one end of said table top member in spaced relation above a :smooth surface, means :at :the other end of said table top member for connection .to aphotographic tripod head, whereby said other end or table top .can be supported in adjusted position above .the floor supporting the tripod, said table .top member being .formed with an interior chamber, a plurality .of rectangular recesses in the top of said table .top member for receiving therein a like plurality of photographic developing trays, said r cesses constituting table top wall openings communieating with said chamber, and means for circulating tap water through said chamber and in heat transfer relation with trays seated in said recesses.

4. A photographic work table as defined in claim 3 .further including a slot in said top .of said table and communicating with said chamber, and a print .wash basket rcrnovably r ceivable in said chamber through said slot.

'5. A photographic work table as defined in claim 3 wherein said tap water circu'lating means comprises .upper and lower Side Wall openings in said table top member and communicating with said chamber, and flexibleoutlet and inlet conduits connectable to said upper and lower side wall openings, respectively.

6. photographic work table .as defined in claim .3 wherein said suction cup means comprises a pair .of posts having suction cups at one .end, and spaced openings in the underside of .said table top member near vone end thereof for removably receiving said other cards of ,said posts in interconnecting relation.

'7. A photographic work table comprising, in combination, an elongated table .top member, suction .cup means for supporting one end .of said table top member ,in spaced relation above a smooth surface, and means at the other end of said table top member for connection .to ,a photographic tripod head, Wherebysaidotheriend of said table top can be supported in adjusted position above the floor supporting the tripod, .a plurality of rectangular recesses in the top of said table top member for receiving seated therein a like plurality of photographic developing trays, said table top member being comprised along its length of a short central section, and equal, comparatively long end sections, hinged .at :the underside to .opposed ends .of said central sections, whereby said end sections of said table top can be folded together from underside to underside for storage and carrying thereof.

.8. A photographic work table as defined in .claim 7 including handles affixed to the outer ends of said (table top .end sections to iacilit-ate carrying, and latch mechanism for holding said table :top .end sections in :Eoldedtogether relation.

References Cited UN-I'IIED STATES PATENTS 2,569.,3'10 9/ 1-951 Hitt 108-5 0 X 2,683,639 7/1954 Brenny 108-34 2,741,171 4/1956 Morrison -89 "2,903 ,3 11 9/ 1959 Earhart 1'(l834 2,904,378 9/1959 MacIver.

FOREIGN .PATE-NIS 285,728 i1/71'953 Switzerland. NoRToNANs-HER, Primary Examiner.

FRED L. BRA-UN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK TABLE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED TABLE TOP MEMBER, SUCTION CUP MEANS FOR SUPPORTING ONE END OF SAID TABLE TOP MEMBER IN SPACED RELATION ABOVE A HORIZONTAL SURFACE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE OTHER END OF SAID TABLE TOP MEMBER AT A POSITION LEVEL WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE END OF SAID TABLE TOP MEMBER, SAID TABLE TOP MEMBER BEING FORMED WITH AN INTERIOR CHAMBER, A PLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR RECESSES IN THE TOP OF SAID TABLE TOP MEMBER FOR RECEIVING SEATED THEREIN A LIKE PLURALITYOF PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING TRAYS, SAID RECESSES CONSTITUTING TABLE TOP WALL OPENINGS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER, AN MEANS FOR CIRCULATING TAP WATER THROUGH SAID CHAMBER AND IN HEAT TRANSFER RELATION WITH TRAYS SEATED IN SAID RECESSES. 